09 February, 2009
Presents
GREG HASTINGS
- The Wandering Man -
"Bringing the Heart of Australia into the Hearts of Australians."
TESTIMONIALS AND PERFORMANCE Reviews.
GREG HASTINGS
Bringing the heart of Australia into the hearts of my friends.
I have known Greg Hastings for many years and consider him a good friend with his partner Linda. To my knowledge he has traveled around Australia, met with Aboriginal people from different tribes and became friends with many of the people he met, particularly some of the Elders. Mr Hastings has had a fascination and a deep interest in our Indigenous culture and he was one individual who pursued this by traveling this big country and befriending the First Australian Community. The Elders in turn shared aspects of our ancient history and culture with Greg. I know he treasures our friendship and knowledge. I have seen Greg's children's show 'Wandering In The Bush' and it is his way of educating people, especially the children in Australia and other countries about our Indigenous culture and the Australian bush. It is entertaining and everyone learns something. Above all, he is a very good story teller, entertainer and gentleman. I recommend him and his show to anyone or any organisation who is considering utilizing his talents.
James T Webb ('Gumbiardi')
Peformer & Didgeridoo player
WADUMBAH Aboriginal Dance Group
www.internetexpress.net.au
‘I have known Greg Hastings for the last 30 years and watched him blossom from the front man for The Mucky Duck Bush Band to a fine solo interpreter of aboriginal culture and music. His Concert Performance and children’s show are spellbinding, combining some of the best didg playing you will ever hear. His love and passion for the material is so wonderfully apparent during his show.’
Ray Downes: West Australian Concert Promoter and Touring Agent for UK acts.
Australian manager for Jez Lowe, Keith Donnelly and Colum Sands
‘The Nomad Performer’ He travels the world enchanting everyone with his voice and music, especially the didgeridoo.”
Expresso Magazine 27th August 2006 (Mauritius)
Whenever I have been at one of Greg's performances I am impressed with the friendly way he relates to his audience - adults and children alike. He has been a stalwart of the West Australian Folk Scene for many years. Greg has a deep appreciation of indigenous culture and the Australian landscape which finds its way into his catchy and often poignant original songs. He is also a fine exponent of the didgeridoo.
Carmel Charlton
Chairperson West Australian Folk Federation Inc.
"Thank you again for a wonderful performance for the children. The children love the interactions, singing and actions that make the show a lot of fun.
Children, parents and carers agree that we make this a yearly incursion that we look forward to. This is our 4th show over the years and Greg and Linda make it very personalised and special.
Marmion Avenue Community Childcare - 5th May 2010
‘Thank you Linda and Greg for a fantastic show. Our children thoroughly enjoyed your interesting and captivating performance. They loved the way you involved them in the show and taught them about the Australian Bush, pitching it at a level that kept them all enthralled for the full hour. Your enthusiasm and genuine love for the bush has made a mark on our classes.’
The Wandering in the Bush Show is to be highly recommended.
The Kindgergarten and Pre-primary classes at John Wallaston Anglican Community School
‘I organised the Wandering in the Bush Show to visit our school as part of our Harmony Day celebrations this year. The students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Greg and Linda were most entertaining and have a very special way with children. I would definitely recommend the performance to all educators wishing to foster appreciation and positive attitudes towards Aboriginal culture within their community !’
Jaye Christie
Takari Primary School, Balcatta
"Treehouse Childcare Centre would like to thank you for coming and performing for the children last week. They thouroughly enjoyed the performance, especially making all the animal noises...
We have played the CD you gave us several times and the children love acting out the songs. Children that weren't present on the day have picked them up really quickly too and have lots of fun dancing to them.
If you are coming down this way again in the future please let us know as we would be interested in having you come again. Thanks again."
Alicia
Tree House Child Care Centre
Donnybrook, WA
'We would love to have you back for another visit, the kids thoroughly enjoyed your show and are in fact performing one of your songs at the end of year concert’
Mark Gledhill
Principal, Three Springs Primary School
Hear the chortle of children's laughter as they imitate the sounds of the animals of the bush. The screams of joy as they listen to the magic stories from the didgeridoo and, at the centre of it all, you will find Welsh born entertainer Greg Hastings. You may ask, what is a Welshman doing playing the didgeridoo and singing the songs of the Australian bush. Its not surprising really, as Greg was a founding member of the legendary Mucky Duck Bush Band and has spent much of his 27 years as a professional entertainer bringing the essence of the bush into the hearts of Australians young and old. After spending five years with the band, Greg left in 1979 to travel the world. After returning to Australia in 1983 he set out to learn more about the Aboriginal people. In 1988 he was given the opportunity to tour Aboriginal communities of the Kimberley. The songs he sings were written for that tour and three other subsequent tours in 1991, 1993 and 1998. Greg now performs his show to a variety of age groups. Performing a simpler show for the under five age group and a more involved performance for older children. "Wandering in the Bush" has been acclaimed by many audiences as one of the most informative and entertaining shows to visit. Greg's aim is to dispel the ignorance about our indigenous people and to build bridges that will lead to a more harmonious existence between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Greg expresses a great humility and honour at being placed in this unique position and judging by the reaction from the children, they enjoy it too.
Editorial "Kids In Perth" parent's paper.
I've seen Greg Hastings performing for nearly twenty years, at festivals for children and at concerts for adults. We have worked together at Woodford Music Festival, Queensland, where he coordinated a musical accompaniment for a circus of a hundred children.
He is unique entertainer, and one of those special artists who, because he was born outside Australia, is able to look at the best and the worst of this country, to portray it in music with objectivity and sympathy. His didgeridoo playing and songs inspired by the dreamtime, show enormous respect for Australia's indigenous cultures.
Reg Bolton PhD
Director, Suitcase Circus
Chair, Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association.
The Wandering in the Bush Show was absolutely wonderful. The children were totally absorbed and engaged in the interactive nature of the performance. It was very contagious with staff and parents finding themselves joining in the fun and laughter.
I have no hesitation in recommending the musical experience that is not only entertaining, but, good value for money.
Pat Nottle
Principal
Orange Grove Primary School.
Thank you for a wonderful, fun and entertaining show. The early childhood children and staff at York DHS loved your visit. We are all singing "I love the Bush" and "Walking in the Bush" songs each day.
"Please don't forget to say please" has become a real hit."
Kathryn Mews
Early Childhood Teacher
York District High School.
Wandering in the Bush Show a Big Hit with Mauritius Schools
The High Commission has been fortunate this last week (21-25 August 2006) to welcome Greg Hastings and Linda Gillian to Mauritius. Greg and Linda are entertainers who have spent the week performing their “Wandering in The Bush Show” to primary school groups including Clavis, Alexandra House, N. Saddal Government School, Arche de Zoe, Loretto Convent Curepipe, as well as a very special afternoon at the Shelter, run by Sheila Baguant.
Greg, known by many through out Australia as the "Wandering Man", has traversed over 400,000 kilometres around Australia amassing a unique knowledge of Australia and Australians, including some of the most respected elders of the Aboriginal people. This included learning to play the didgeridoo on his first tour of the Kimberley Aboriginal communities in 1988.
During their time in Mauritius, Greg and Linda have been performing for primary school children their “Wandering in the Bush Show”. The show incorporates songs and stories of Australian animals, including some didgeridoo pieces.
The children of Mauritius have been enchanted by the performances and have joined in the singing and hand actions with great enthusiasm. The High Commission would like to thank both Greg and Linda for donating their time free of charge, and Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel for their generous assistance in accommodating the performers during their stay on the island.
The staff and children at Booragoon Occasional Child Care Centre really look forward to the Wandering in the Bush show visits. The actions make joining in for the children very enjoyable and they learn a bit about Australia at the same time !
Thanks for great local entertainment Linda and Greg’.
Regards
Rochelle Keogh, Director
Booragoon Occasional Child Care Centre, WA
‘The Wandering Man’ is in Mauritius to give performances in several primary schools. One show held at Nunkeesor Saddul Government School was in open air and was a real success. The children said ‘we just loved the songs’ and ‘enjoyed the funny stories’ ”
Le Matinal newspaper 24th August 2006 (Mauritius)
“Aboriginal Culture for Children. The joy was contagious and the black clouds disappeared little by little to allow some rays of sun to shine down. The children were completely engaged and followed each gesture that Linda made, while the sound of the didgeridoo carried them away.
What better way to learn about another culture than with joy and good humour ”
L’Express newspaper 26th August 2006 (Mauritius)
